I just wanted to let you know that our metal guru is out of the office today. He should be available to respond to your question soon though, and I am sure he will be able to help you trouble shoot- so keep an eye on this post.

Josh,Sorry to read about you problems but let's see what we can come up with.

1] Standard PMC shrinks alot and is hard to size well because of this. I would consider the book saying you could bend the PMC to be wrong - unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there. I would attempt repairs by soldering or by using the Art Clay Silver product called Oil Paste. Oil Paste works well for metal to metal attachments and repairs.2] I have successfully repaired ACS pieces using slip. I usually repair the piece and then paint thin layers over the surface for 'insurance', PMC may be different - again - Oil Paste.

3] Layers ?? hmm - maybe the oil you used on your hands made a separation layer? As to bending, it has been my experience that fired metal clay is similar to cast silver items. The structure is sort of crystalline and does not respond well to hammering, bending and other forms of shaping.Don't worry about too long, ask all the questions and we can do our best to figure it out.

Greetings, all. I am attempting my first ACS ring. Per everything I've read, I put a strip of teflon sheeting around the mandrel. I secured it on the inside with a little piece of tape. After I formed the strip of clay to make the band and attempted to wrap it around the mandrel, the sheeting kept popping off - coming untaped. In frustration, I put a light coat of oil on the mandrel (wood) and put the clay directly on it. Alas, it would appear it's now stuck (big surprise to you more experienced ACS people, I'm sure - NOT!) Here are my questions:

1) Could I get some very detailed direction on how to use the teflon sheeting around the mandrel? How does everyone else do it so that it doesn't keep popping off?

2) Does anyone have tips for getting the dried clay band off the mandrel? Or am I just going to have to break it? It wasn't a very complicated design, I can easily re-do it.

I haven't received my first order of clay yet, but I can tell you what I know from all the research I've been doing:

I read one experienced ring-maker say that she uses the freezer paper that you buy in the grocery store (it's found near the aluminum foil, I think). She tapes a piece shiny-side OUT on the mandrel. I think this would work because the other side is just regular paper, so the tape would stick to the back side. Do not cut the paper any bigger than you need to, so there is not much overlap. I suspect that your Teflon paper is so slick that not even the tape will stick to it, thus causing your frustration.

Regarding the ring that is now stuck to the wooden mandrel-- I don't know! '>

I suspect you may have to break it off. My only other thought is that I'm wondering if you could get a little water under the ring, and soften up the underside. I still don't know if you can get it to slide off, though... Good Luck!!!!

When I put the teflon sheeting on the mandrel, I use a strip about 3/4" wide. I start lower on the mandrel then the size I want, and wrap it on a diagonalso that it overlaps itself enough to hold the starting end. I make sure that the strip is long enough that it will wrap to above the size I am going to work on. Then I have enough room to use a larger piece of tape to make it hold.If you need a longer strip of teflon, get R&T#87-051-FT, teflon sheet by the foot. I cut this into 3"x3' squares for work surfaces and have a 1/2" strip left over that is a foot long.I have used papers but I like the teflon results better.As to the stuck ring, You might be able to work it off by moistening, etc. but I suspect that by the time you have it in hand, the damage will be bad enough, you will need to rebuild it anyway. - probably best to scrap it off and build a new one.Sorry it took so long to reply, I was out of town a few days and have been trying to catch up. '>